38 Remaining Spots

Adam immediately started inspecting the surrounding auxiliary members at Steven's reply. He had already tried inspecting the core members last night, but that didn't work because they were all either equal to Adam or above him in strength.

'Bingo... ' However, that wasn't the case with the surrounding auxiliary members. Adam found out that most of them were D-ranks, with only three C-rank members, including Steven. 'Their abilities are all basic as well. '

Their ranks were low and their awakened abilities ranged from normal magic elements to physical strength enhancement.

"Adam, I know you're a good kid, but I won't hold back. " Steven spoke in a bitter tone while looking up at Adam.

"I understand. I won't hold back, either. " Adam matched Steven's gaze and replied with a resolute expression.

"May the best man get the job. " Steven smiled before offering his hand for a shake.

"I will. " Adam shook Steven's hand and spoke in a determined tone.

On the other side of the room, Sneed and Marianne were having a small chat while looking at Adam.

"Do you think he'll survive the raid? " Sneed asked while squinting his eyes.

"I don't think so. " Marianne replied in a haughty tone.

"Me neither. Not with the way he is now... " Sneed spoke with a devious smile. "State your reasons. " He said while staring at Adam from across the room

"I will admit that he has a decent amount of mana, a good amount of strength, and a useful ability, but that boy lacks something much more important than that. " Marianne replied while fiddling with her robe.

"Attention! " Suddenly, a loud roar echoed through the building.

Everyone turned their heads to the source, which was none other than captain Yamamoto, followed by James and Darius.

"As you all know, the raid on The Bronx is close. " The captain continued while scanning the members' faces. "We need to be ready for all scenarios that might occur during the raid. That's why, today, we will hold the selection process. "

*Murmur. *

The auxiliary members started talking amongst themselves with joyful expressions.

They were all members of the task force and they received good salaries and decent training, but this chance was too big.

The amount of money they would get if they succeed in the raid, and the chance to train with an S-rank were too alluring.

No one even considered failing the raid. Why? Because an S-rank High Human is taking part. There were indeed many unsuccessful attempts to subjugate the monster in the middle of The Bronx, but none of those attempts contained an S-rank High Human.

This was the same as finding a bag full of money on the side of the road.

"There are 10 available spots for the raid. The core members occupy 7 of them by default. " Captain Yamamoto silenced the murmurs. "Now, the rest of you have two options. Either you fight with the other auxiliary members over the 3 spots, or you fight one of the core members for their spot. " He continued while holding two fingers in the air with a smile.

*Crackle! *

James stepped forward while cracking his knuckles with streaks of yellow lightning covering his body.

*Fwoosh! *

Ash appeared out of thin air while holding a longbow.

*Thud! *

Tyrone stepped forward while holding a heavy shield.

The rest of the core members all stepped forward with serious expressions.

"They will gladly accept your challenge. " The captain looked at the core members and spoke in an inviting tone.

*Murmur. *

"What do we do? "

"I'm not fighting those monsters for a spot. "

"I like the chances of beating a C-rank more. "

The D-rank members immediately gave up on the idea of facing the core members and turned to the C-rank members instead.

The 3 C-rank members planned on occupying the 3 available spots as well. No one planned on fighting the core members for their spots.

'If I'm going to make a move, I better do it now... ' Adam noticed the tense air in the atmosphere and stepped forward.

*Crackle! *

He pulled out his pitch-black sword as he reached the middle of the room.

"I'm claiming one of the 3 available spots. " Adam declared while looking at the auxiliary members. "Anyone who wants to take it can try. "

"It doesn't work that way! "

"Who is this guy, anyway?! "

"Do you know how long I've been on this task force?! "

Words of discontent immediately targeted Adam after his declaration. The auxiliary members were not happy with his actions.

Some of these members joined the task force much earlier than he did and were waiting for a chance like this, but now, the newbie just steps forward and steals it away? Bullshit!

*Whistle~ *

Sneed whistled with an amused expression.

"I never expected the newbie would do this... " He said while looking at Adam.

"Silence! " Captain Yamamoto interrupted the complaining members with a roar. "If anyone has a problem with the newbie's action, you can express them with your strength. "

"But, captain! "

"This is illogical! "

"Are you telling us, the ones who followed you for over a year, to just shut up and accept this?! " A C-rank auxiliary member asked with a furious expression.

"There is no seniority with competence. Just because an S-rank might accompany us doesn't mean that you will survive. " Captain Yamamoto replied in a calm tone. "If I only take the ones with more years on the force regardless of their abilities, you will just be a burden on the rest of us. "

"I see... " The C-rank member gritted his teeth and turned to Adam. "Newbie, I accept your challenge. "

Adam silently raised his sword in anticipation of the incoming attack. They were currently on the first floor, but Adam could tell that this man had no plans to take it to the arena on the second floor.

'He's coming. ' Adam inspected the C-rank member once more.

[-Name: Vince Dalton

-Sex: Male

-Height: 189 cm

-Rank: C-

-Abilities:

[Intermediate Physical Strength Enhancement]

-Status: Agitated]

'He doesn't have an awakened element, so he'll come at me with aura. Besides, he's already agitated. ' Adam read through Vince's record and a smile appeared on his face. 'This will be easy... '

"AAAAHH!! " Vince made the first move and dashed towards Adam while shouting.

Adam, however, stayed calm and started circulating his mana while scrutinizing Vince's mana circulation using Mana Vision.

'A right hook... ' Adam read the mana flow and slightly adjusted his position.

*Fwoosh! *

Successfully dodging Vance's heavy right hook.

*Bam! *

Before delivering a blow to Vince's backside with his sword's hilt.

"Ugh! " Vince let out a pained groan while struggling to recover his balance. "Shit! " He cursed while clumsily turning to attack Adam once more.

But what awaited him was Adam's blade, pointing to his neck.

"Huh?! "